FOID permit backlog still an issue

Illinois' backlog from a record number of applications for Firearms Owner Identification cards shows no sign of easing.

The flood of applications comes in the wake of a federal appellate court decision in December that struck down the state's ban on concealed carry, giving lawmakers until June 9 to craft a bill with restrictions.

Obtaining a FOID card is one of the prerequisites before someone can own a gun or carry a loaded weapon in public.

State law requires Illinois State Police to approve or deny FOID applications within 30 days. However, because the understaffed FOID department continues to deal with volumes never experienced before, it's been difficult to meet that deadline, said State Police Lt. Darrin Clark.

In April, the agency received more than 28,600 applications while trying to lessen a backlog of nearly 76,000. In March, more than 38,000 applications were received, setting a record for the month.

Earlier this year, Todd Vandermyde, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Illinois, discussed the possibility of the NRA suing state police over the FOID backlog. Asked this week whether there had been any movement on the issue, Vandermyde declined to comment, saying he's recently had discussion ss with lawyers about the situation.

"I can't talk about that right now," he said.

100-day wait

Claus Bacher of New Berlin said he waited nearly 100 days before receiving his permit in the mail May 4.

Bacher submitted his application in January along with a $10 check to cover the fee. That same month, the state police's FOID department reported receiving an all-time, record-breaking 61,172 applications.

"Just because of all the controversy going around these days, I thought that at the beginning of the year that I'd at least get this FOID card and have it in my hand," Bacher said.

As advised by state police, Bacher waited 60 days after the $10 check was cashed to check his application's status. He was told the application was still being processed, he said.

Thirty days after that, having yet to receive his permit, Bacher called the same customer service line again to hear a recorded message: "Please try calling back later as we are experiencing a high call volume." Then the line disconnects, he said. Bacher said he also sent an email but did not receive a response.

"There's no way to get in touch with anyone … then it disconnects you. It doesn't even let you (stay on hold)," Bacher said. "So it kind of leaves you wondering what you can even do."

Delays experienced by Bacher are not out of the ordinary, Vandermyde said. Applicants, even gun owners wanting to renew their permits to maintain legal status, could be waiting anywhere from 60 to 75 days, he said.

"I do all of my paperwork properly. I file in a timely manner. But then (the state) doesn't live up to the law that says you got 30 days, even though (the same law) says I got to have this (FOID card) or I get charged with a crime?" Vandermyde said. "That's a problem."

Clark said there are only so many people in the office to take calls. For example, eight employees (there are currently two vacancies, he said) are responsible for processing the backlog. Those six individuals also handle rejected applications, appeals, and writing denial and acceptance letters, Clark said.

Fee hike needed?

A FOID card fee increase could potentially allow state police to process the applications in a more timely matter, Clark said.

The $10 fee has not been raised since the FOID system was created in 1968, even though it now costs the agency $12 for each card processed, Clark said. Just to break even, he said the agency would need to increase the FOID fee to $18.

Of the current $10 fee, less than half, or $4, makes it way to state police. The Department of Natural Resources gets the remaining $6.

Clark said the state police has repeatedly presented the idea of upping the FOID fee to help cover costs and minimize delays, but the proposal is always met with vehement opposition from gun owners.

"They want this problem, they can pay for it," Vandermyde said of the state. "It's not our responsibility to fund it. It's only the law-abiding gun owner that has to go through this. We don't believe in placing a tax on a constitutional right. If the state wants this (FOID card system), the state can fund it."

Under the Illinois House's main concealed-carry proposal, sponsored by Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, residents who wish to carry a weapon in public would also have to pay $100 for a concealed-carry permit. That would be on top of the $10 fee for a FOID card, if they don't have one already.

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Breaking down the numbers

The Illinois State Police's backlog of Firearms Owner Identification applications increased by 7 percent — from 71,000 to 76,000 — between January and April.

Since the start of 2013, the agency has received more than 184,000 applications, which is on track to easily surpass the 338,614 received last year.

In January, an all-time high of 61,172 applications were received. February's 56,078 set a record for that month, as did March's 38,198. The agency received another 28,667 applications in April.

There are about 1.5 million FOID cardholders in Illinois. The FOID card is one of the prerequisites needed before someone can own a gun or carry a weapon in public.

State police estimated that 300,000 to 400,000 people will apply for concealed-carry permits within the first year of lawmakers enacting the state's first-ever law.

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